Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device may include a display panel including a substrate that includes a display area and a pad area adjacent to the display area, and a first pad and a second pad on the pad area of the substrate, and a chip-on-film package over the pad area of the substrate with the first pad and the second pad in between, the chip-on-film package including an insulation layer, a first wiring on an upper surface of the insulation layer and electrically connected to the first pad, and a second wiring on a lower surface of the insulation layer and electrically connected to the second pad. A first signal having alternating voltage levels may be applied to the first wiring, and a second signal having a constant voltage level may be applied to the second wiring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0044651, filed on Apr. 17, 2018 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office (KIPO), the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments relate to a display device. More particularly, embodimentsrelate to a display device including a chip-on-film package.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of displays have been developed. Examples include liquidcrystal displays, plasma displays, field emission displays, lightemitting diode displays, and organic light emitting diode displays.

These displays may include a display panel displaying an image and adriving IC for controlling the display of the image on the displaypanel. The driving IC may apply a control signal, an image signal, etc.to the display panel to drive the display panel. The driving IC may bein the form of a chip.

Many methods have been proposed for bonding the driving IC to thedisplay panel. Examples include a tape automated bonding (TAB) method ora chip-on-glass (COG) method. In the TAB method, the driving IC ismounted on a tape carrier package (TCP). The TCP is then bonded to a padof the display panel. In the COG method, the driving IC is directlybonded to the pad of the display panel. A chip-on-film (COF) method maybe used to directly bond the driving IC to a flexible circuit boardattached to the display panel.

SUMMARY

An object of the present inventive concept is to provide a displaydevice for preventing electro-migration between wirings of achip-on-film package.

In order to achieve the object of the present inventive conceptdescribed above, a display device may include a display panel includinga substrate that includes a display area and a pad area adjacent to thedisplay area, and a first pad and a second pad on the pad area of thesubstrate, and a chip-on-film package over the pad area of the substratewith the first pad and the second pad interposed between the substrateand the chip-on-film package, the chip-on-film package including aninsulation layer, a first wiring on an upper surface of the insulationlayer and electrically connected to the first pad, and a second wiringon a lower surface of the insulation layer and electrically connected tothe second pad. A first signal having alternating voltage levels may beapplied to the first wiring. A second signal having a constant voltagelevel may be applied to the second wiring.

In an embodiment, the first pad may be on a first pad portion of the padarea adjacent to the display area. The second pad may be on a second padportion of the pad area spaced apart from the display area with thefirst pad portion disposed therebetween.

In an embodiment, the first pad and the second pad may be on the samelevel over the substrate.

In an embodiment, the display panel may further include a first pixeland a second pixel on the display area of the substrate, a first dataline on the substrate and connecting the first pixel to the first pad,and a second data line on the substrate and connecting the second pixelto the second pad.

In an embodiment, the first pixel may be a red pixel or a blue pixel,and the second pixel may be a green pixel.

In an embodiment, the first signal may have a first voltage level and asecond voltage level greater than the first voltage level.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include an anisotropicconductive film between the display panel and the chip-on-film packageand electrically connecting the first pad and the second pad to thefirst wiring and the second wiring, respectively.

In an embodiment, the display panel may further include a protectivefilm spaced apart from the first pad and the second pad with thesubstrate disposed therebetween, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layerbetween the substrate and the protective film.

In an embodiment, the chip-on-film package may further include a firstsolder resist layer on the upper surface of the insulation layer andcovering the first wiring, and a second solder resist layer on the lowersurface of the insulation layer and covering at least a portion of thesecond wiring.

In an embodiment, the first wiring may be electrically connected to thefirst pad through a via hole formed in the insulation layer.

In order to achieve the object of the present inventive conceptdescribed above, a display device may include a display panel includinga display area, a pad area adjacent to the display area, a first padportion at top left in the pad area in a plan view, a second pad portionat bottom left in the pad area in the plan view, a third pad portion attop right in the pad area in the plan view, and a fourth pad portion atbottom right in the pad area in the plan view, and a chip-on-filmpackage overlapping the pad area, the chip-on-film package including aninsulation layer, a plurality of first wirings on an upper surface ofthe insulation layer and electrically connected to the first pad portionand the third pad portion, and a plurality of second wirings on a lowersurface of the insulation layer and electrically connected to the secondpad portion and the fourth pad portion. A first signal havingalternating voltage levels may be applied to the plurality of firstwirings. A second signal having a constant voltage level may be appliedto the plurality of second wirings.

In an embodiment, the display panel may further include a plurality offirst pads in the first pad portion and the third pad portion andelectrically connected to the plurality of first wirings, respectively,and a plurality of second pads in the second pad portion and the fourthpad portion and electrically connected to the plurality of secondwirings, respectively.

In an embodiment, the display panel may further include a plurality offirst pixels and a plurality of second pixels in the display area, aplurality of first data lines respectively connecting the plurality offirst pixels to the plurality of first pads, and a plurality of seconddata lines respectively connecting the plurality of second pixels to theplurality of second pads.

In an embodiment, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality ofsecond pixels may be alternately arranged with each other along a firstdirection. Two first pixels adjacent to each other in the firstdirection among the plurality of first pixels may emit different colorsof light from each other. Two second pixels adjacent to each other inthe first direction among the plurality of second pixels may emit thesame color of light as each other.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first pixels may be a redpixel or a blue pixel, and each of the plurality of second pixels may bea green pixel.

In an embodiment, the plurality of first pads and the plurality ofsecond pads may be alternately arranged along the first direction in theplan view.

In an embodiment, the display device may further include an anisotropicconductive film between the display panel and the chip-on-film packageand electrically connecting the plurality of first pads and theplurality of second pads to the plurality of first wirings and theplurality of second wirings, respectively.

In an embodiment, the plurality of first wirings and the plurality ofsecond wirings may be overlapped with each other in the plan view.

In an embodiment, the first signal may have a first voltage level and asecond voltage level greater than the first voltage level.

In order to achieve the object of the present inventive conceptdescribed above, a display device may include a display panel comprisinga substrate including a display area and a pad area adjacent to thedisplay area, and a first pad and a second pad disposed on the pad areaof the substrate, and a chip-on-film package overlapping the pad area ina plan view with the first pad and the second pad interposed between thesubstrate and the chip-on-film package. The chip-on-film package mayinclude an insulation substrate, a first wiring disposed on an uppersurface of the insulation substrate and electrically connected to thefirst pad, and a second wiring disposed on a lower surface of theinsulation substrate which is close to the display panel than the uppersurface and electrically connected to the second pad. Substantialportion of the first wiring and the second wiring may overlap each otherin a plan view. The first wiring may supply a first signal which hasalternating voltage levels to the first pad and the second wiring maysupply a second signal which has a constant voltage level to the secondpad.

In the display device according to the embodiments, the first signalhaving the alternating voltage levels may be applied to the first wiringof the chip-on-film package spaced apart from the display panel, and thesecond signal having the constant voltage level may be applied to thesecond wiring of the chip-on-film package adjacent to the display panel.Therefore, electro-migration between the wirings of the chip-on-filmpackage may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments will be more clearly understoodfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel of the display devicein FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a display area of a display panel ofthe display device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a pad area of the display panel ofthe display device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a chip-on-film package ofthe display device in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a timing diagram illustrating a first signal applied to thefirst wiring of the chip-on-film package and FIG. 7B is a timing diagramillustrating a second signal applied to the second wiring of thechip-on-film package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, display devices in accordance with embodiments of thepresent inventive concept will be explained in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, elements of a display device according to an embodimentwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display device according to an embodiment mayinclude a display panel 100 and a chip-on-film (COF) package 200. Thechip-on-film package 200 may supply signals such as a control signal, animage signal, etc. to the display panel 100. The display panel 100 maydisplay an image based on the signals.

The display panel 100 may include a display area DA and a pad area PA.The display area DA may display an image. The pad area PA may bedisposed adjacent to the display area DA. For example, the pad area PAmay be located in a first direction D1 from the display area DA. Thedisplay panel 100 may be electrically connected to external devicesthrough the pad area PA.

The display panel 100 may include a plurality of gate lines (not shown).The gate lines may extend along a second direction D2 crossing the firstdirection D1, and may be arranged along the first direction D1.

The display panel 100 may include a plurality of data lines 141 and 142.The data lines 141 and 142 may extend along the first direction D1, andmay be arranged along the second direction D2. The data lines 141 and142 may cross and be insulated from the gate lines. The data lines 141and 142 may extend from the display area DA to the pad area PA.

The display panel 100 may include a plurality of pixels 131 and 132.Each of the pixels 131 and 132 may be disposed in a space betweenadjacent gate lines and adjacent data lines 141 and 142. An image may beformed by a combination of light emitted from the pixels 131 and 132.For example, the pixels 131 and 132 may be arranged as a matrix form.

The pixels 131 and 132 may include a light emitting element including anorganic light emitting layer. However, the present inventive concept isnot limited thereto. The pixels 131 and 132 may include various elementsfor displaying an image such as a liquid crystal element, anelectrophoretic element, an electowetting element, etc.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the pixel 131 and 132 of thedisplay device in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, each of the pixels 131 and 132 may include thinfilm transistors TR1 and TR2, a light emitting element EL, and acapacitor CST which are connected to wirings such as a gate line GL, adata line DL, a driving voltage line DVL, etc. Here, the gate line GLand the data line DL illustrated in FIG. 2 may be the gate line and thedata line 141 and 142 described with reference to FIG. 1, respectively.

The thin film transistors TR1 and TR2 may include a driving thin filmtransistor TR2 configured to control the light emitting element EL and aswitching thin film transistor TR1 configured to control the drivingthin film transistor TR2. In an embodiment, each pixel may include twothin film transistors TR1 and TR2 and one capacitor CST. However, thepresent inventive concept is not limited thereto. In another embodiment,each pixel may include one thin film transistor and one capacitor, ormay include three or more thin film transistors and two or morecapacitors. For example, each pixel may include seven thin filmtransistors, one light emitting element, and one capacitor.

The switching thin film transistor TR1 may include a gate electrode, asource electrode, and a drain electrode. In the switching thin filmtransistor TR1, the gate electrode may be connected to the gate line GL,and the source electrode may be connected to the data line DL. The drainelectrode may be connected to a gate electrode of the driving thin filmtransistor TR2. The switching thin film transistor TR1 may transmit adata signal applied to the data line DL to the driving thin filmtransistor TR2 depending on a gate signal applied to the gate line GL.

The driving thin film transistor TR2 may include a gate electrode, asource electrode, and a drain electrode. In the driving thin filmtransistor TR2, the gate electrode may be connected to the drain of theswitching thin film transistor TR1, and the source electrode may beconnected to the driving voltage line DVL. The drain electrode may beconnected to a anode of the light emitting element EL.

The light emitting element EL may include an emission layer, and a firstelectrode and a second electrode opposite to each other with theemission layer in between. The first electrode may be connected to thedrain electrode of the driving thin film transistor TR2. The secondelectrode may be connected to a common voltage line (not shown), so thata common voltage may be applied to the second electrode. The emissionlayer may emit light depending on an output signal of the driving thinfilm transistor TR2 thereby displaying an image. Here, light emittedfrom the emission layer may vary depending on a material of the emissionlayer, and may be color light or white light.

The capacitor CST may be connected between the gate electrode and thesource electrode of the driving thin film transistor TR2. The capacitorCST may charge and maintain the data signal inputted to the gateelectrode of the driving thin film transistor TR2.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the display area DA of the displaypanel 100 of the display device in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 3 may be aplan view expanding an area A of the display device in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data lines 141 and 142 may include a pluralityof first data lines 141 and a plurality of second data lines 142. Thefirst data lines 141 and the second data lines 142 may extend along thefirst direction D1. The first data lines 141 and the second data lines142 may be alternately arranged along the second direction D2. In otherwords, one second data line 142 may be located between two first datalines 141 adjacent in the second direction D2, and one first data line141 may be located between two second data lines 142 adjacent in thesecond direction D2.

The pixels 131 and 132 may include a plurality of first pixels 131 and aplurality of second pixels 132. The first pixels 131 may be connected tothe first data lines 141. The second pixels 132 may be connected to thesecond data lines 142. The first pixels 131 may be arranged along thefirst direction D1 along which the first data line 141 extends. Thesecond pixels 132 may be arranged along the first direction D1 alongwhich the second data line 142 extends.

The first pixels 131 and the second pixels 132 may be alternatelyarranged along the second direction D2. In other words, one second pixel132 may be located between two first pixels 131 adjacent in the seconddirection D2, and one first pixel 131 may be located between two secondpixels 132 adjacent in the second direction D2. Further, two firstpixels 131 adjacent to each other may emit different colors of lightfrom each other, and two second pixels 132 adjacent to each other mayemit the same color of light as each other. For example, one first pixel131 may emit different color of light from two first pixels 131 adjacentin the first direction D1 and from two first pixels 131 adjacent in thesecond direction D2.

Each of the first pixels 131 may be a red pixel R or a blue pixel B.Each of the second pixels 132 may be a green pixel G. In this case, thefirst pixels 131 and the second pixels 132 may be disposed as a pentilematrix form. In an embodiment, one red pixel R, one blue pixel B, andtwo green pixel G may form an unit pixel UPX. However, the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, one redpixel, one blue pixel, one green pixel, and one white pixel may form theunit pixel.

The red pixel R and the blue pixel B connected to the same first dataline 141 may be alternately arranged along the first direction D1.Further, the red pixel R and the blue pixel B connected to differentfirst data lines may be alternately arranged along the second direction.The green pixel G may be disposed between the red pixel R and the bluepixel B in the second direction D2. For example, the red pixel R may bedisposed at a M-th row and a N-th column, the green pixel G may bedisposed at the M-th row and a (N+1)-th column, the blue pixel B may bedisposed at the M-th row and a (N+2)-th column, and the green pixel Gmay be disposed at the M-th row and a (N+3)-th column. Here, the M andthe N are natural numbers. Accordingly, data signals applied to thefirst data lines 141 may drive the red pixel R and the blue pixel B, anddata signals applied to the second data lines 142 may drive the greenpixel G.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the display panel 100 may include first tofourth pad portions PP1, PP2, PP3, and PP4. The first pad portion PP1may be located at top left in the pad area PA. The second pad portionPP2 may be located at bottom left in the pad area PA. The third padportion PP3 may be located at top right in the pad area PA. The fourthpad portion PP4 may be located at bottom right in the pad area PA. Inother words, the first pad portion PP1 and the third pad portion PP3 maybe located at a top row in the pad area PA, and the second pad portionPP2 and the fourth pad portion PP4 may be located at a bottom row in thepad area PA.

The first pad portion PP1 and the third pad portion PP3 may be symmetricwith respect to a central line CL. The second pad portion PP2 and thefourth pad portion PP4 may be symmetric with respect to the central lineCL. The central line CL may be an imaginary line that crosses a centerof the pad area PA in the second direction D2, and extends along thefirst direction D1. The first pad portion PP1 and the second pad portionPP2 may be connected to the data lines 141 and 142 located at left sidewith respect to the central line CL. The third pad portion PP3 and thefourth pad portion PP4 may be connected to the data lines 141 and 142located at right side with respect to the central line CL.

The first pad portion PP1 and the third pad portion PP3 located at thetop row in the pad area PA may be connected to the first data lines 141.Accordingly, the first pad portion PP1 and the third pad portion PP3 maybe electrically connected to the first pixels 131. The second padportion PP2 and the fourth pad portion PP4 located at the bottom row inthe pad area PA may be connected to the second data lines 142.Accordingly, the second pad portion PP2 and the fourth pad portion PP4may be electrically connected to the second pixels 132.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the pad area PA of the display panel100 of the display device in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 4 is a plan viewexpanding an area B of the display device in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the display panel 100 may include aplurality of first pads 121 and a plurality of second pads 122 locatedin the pad area PA. The first pads 121 may be connected to the firstdata lines 141. The second pads 122 may be connected to the second datalines 142.

The first pads 121 may be located in the first pad portion PP1 and thethird pad portion PP3. Specifically, the first pads 121 may be arrangedalong the second direction D2 at the top row in the pad area PA. Thefirst pads 121 located in the first pad portion PP1 may be connected tothe first data lines 141 located at left side with respect to thecentral line CL. The first pads 121 located in the third pad portion PP3may be connected to the first data lines 141 located at right side withrespect to the central line CL.

The second pads 122 may be located in the second pad portion PP2 and thefourth pad portion PP4. Specifically, the second pads 122 may bearranged along the second direction D2 at the bottom row in the pad areaPA. The second pads 122 located in the second pad portion PP2 may beconnected to the second data lines 142 located at left side with respectto the central line CL. The second pads 122 located in the fourth padportion PP4 may be connected to the second data lines 142 located atright side with respect to the central line CL.

The first pads 121 and the second pads 122 may be alternately arrangedto each other in the second direction D2 in a plan view. In other words,when watching the pad area PA from the display area PA in the firstdirection D1, the first pads 121 and the second pads 122 may not beoverlapped with each other.

The chip-on-film package 200 may overlap the pad area PA of the displaypanel 100. The chip-on-film package 200 may include a plurality of firstwirings 221 and a plurality of second wirings 222. The plurality offirst wirings 221 and the plurality of second wirings 222 may overlapeach other in a plan view. The plurality of first wirings 221 and theplurality of second wirings 222 may completely overlap each other in aplan view. The plurality of first wirings 221 and the plurality ofsecond wirings 222 may completely overlap each other in a plan viewexcept a pad portion formed at ends of the plurality of first wirings221 and the plurality of second wirings 222.

The first wirings 221 may extend along the first direction D1, and maybe arranged along the second direction D2. Ends of the first wirings 221may be electrically connected to the first pads 121, respectively.Accordingly, data signals applied to the first wirings 221 may betransmitted to the first data lines 141 through the first pads 121.

The second wirings 222 may extend along the first direction D1, and maybe arranged along the second direction D2. The second wirings 222 may beinsulated from the first wirings 221. Ends of the second wirings 222 maybe electrically connected to the second pads 122, respectively.Accordingly, data signals applied to the second wirings 222 may betransmitted to the second data lines 142 through the second pads 122.

An insulation layer (not shown) covering the first pads 121 and thesecond pads 122 may be formed on the display panel 100, and firstcontact holes CH1 exposing the first pads 121 and second contact holesCH2 exposing the second pads 122 may be formed in the insulation layer.The first wirings 221 may be electrically connected to the first pads121 through the first contact holes CH1. The second wirings 222 may beelectrically connected to the second pads 122 through the second contactholes CH2.

An anisotropic conductive film (300 in FIG. 5) may be interposed betweenthe display panel 100 and the chip-on-film package 200, and the firstwirings 221 and the second wirings 222 may be electrically connected tothe first pads 121 and the second pads 122, respectively, through theanisotropic conductive film.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device accordingto an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the display panel 100 according to an embodimentmay include a substrate 110, a first insulation layer 111, the first pad121, the second pad 122, a second insulation layer 112, a protectivefilm 150, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 160.

The substrate 110 may include the display area DA and the pad area PA.The first pad portion PP1 may be located in a portion of the pad area PAadjacent to the display area DA. The second pad portion PP2 may belocated in a portion of the pad area PA spaced apart from the displayarea DA with the first pad portion PP1 disposed between the display areaDA and the second pad portion PP2. The third pad portion PP3 in FIG. 1and the fourth pad portion PP4 in FIG. 1 are not illustrated in FIG. 5.However, descriptions on the first pad portion PP1 and the second padportion PP2 may be applied to the third pad portion PP3 and the fourthpad portion PP4, respectively.

The substrate 110 may be formed of insulation materials such as glass,resin, etc. Further, the substrate 110 may be formed of flexiblematerials such that the substrate 110 may be bent, rolled, or folded,and may have a single layer or a multi-layered structure. For example,the substrate 110 may include polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide,polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, triacetate cellulose,cellulose acetate propionate, or the like. The materials forming thesubstrate 110 may be variously changed, and the substrate 110 may beformed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), etc.

The first insulation layer 111 may be disposed on the substrate 110. Thefirst insulation layer 111 may prevent impurities such as oxygen,moisture, etc. permeating through the substrate 110 from moving towardtop of the substrate 110, and may provide a planarized surface to thetop of the substrate 110.

The first insulation layer 111 may be formed of an inorganic insulationmaterial such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride,etc. or an organic insulation material, and may have a single layer or amulti-layered structure. Alternatively, the first insulation layer 111may be omitted, and the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may bedirectly disposed on an upper surface of the substrate 110.

The first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may be disposed on the firstinsulation layer 111. The first pad 121 may be located in the first padportion PP1. The second pad 122 may be located in the second pad portionPP2. As described above, the first pad 121 may be connected to the firstdata line 141 extending from the display area DA to the pad area PA, andthe second pad 122 may be connected to the second data line 142 in FIG.1 extending from the display area DA to the pad area PA.

The first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may be formed of metal. Forexample, the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may include at leastone of metals such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum(Mo), Chrome (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper(Cu), etc., or alloys thereof. The first pad 121 and the second pad 122may be formed as a single layer. However, the present embodiment is notlimited thereto. The first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may be formedas a multi-layered structure in which two or more materials of themetals and the metal alloys are layered.

In an embodiment, the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may belocated on the same level over the substrate 110. As illustrated in FIG.4, the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may be alternately arrangedalong the second direction D2 in a plan view. Thus, the first pad 121and the second pad 122 may not be electrically connected to each otheralthough being located at the same level. For example, the first pad 121and the second pad 122 may be disposed on an upper surface of the firstinsulation layer 111.

The second insulation layer 112 may be disposed on the first insulationlayer 111 on the first pad 121 and the second pad 122. The secondinsulation layer 112 may partially cover the first pad 121 and thesecond pad 122. The second insulation layer 112 may be formed of aninorganic insulation material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride,silicon oxynitride, etc. or an organic insulation material, and may havea single layer or a multi-layered structure.

The first contact hole CH1 and the second contact hole CH2 respectivelyexposing the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may be formed in thesecond insulation layer 112. For example, the first contact hole CH1 mayexpose a central portion of an upper surface of the first pad 121, andthe second contact hole CH2 may expose a central portion of an uppersurface of the second pad 122.

The protective film 150 may be disposed to be spaced apart from thefirst pad 121 and the second pad 122 with the substrate 110 disposedtherebetween. For example, the protective film 150 may be disposed on alower surface of the substrate 110. The protective film 150 may absorbimpact from outside to prevent the display device from being damaged.The protective film 150 may be formed of material including air such ascushion, sponge, etc. to absorb impact. For example, the protective film150 may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.

The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 160 may be interposed between thesubstrate 110 and the protective film 150. The pressure sensitiveadhesive layer 160 may attach the protective film 150 to the substrate110. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 160 may include polymer,cross-linking agent, or resin. The polymer may include at least one ofacryl based polymer, silicon based polymer, and urethane based polymer.The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 160 may be conductive.

The chip-on-film package 200 may be disposed on the pad area PA of thesubstrate 110 with the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 disposedtherebetween. The chip-on-film package 200 collectively refers to aninsulation layer made of a thin film and wirings formed on theinsulation layer. The chip-on-film package 200 may be referred to as atape carrier package (TCP), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), orthe like. The chip-on-film package 200 may include an insulation layer210, the first wiring 221, the second wiring 222, a first solder resistlayer 231, and a second solder resist layer 232. In an embodiment, adriving chip connected to the first wiring 221 and/or the second wiring222 may be further formed on the insulation layer 210 of thechip-on-film package 200 together with the first wiring 221 and thesecond wiring 222.

The insulation layer 210 may have an upper surface 211 and a lowersurface 212 opposite to each other. The lower surface 212 of theinsulation layer 210 may face the display panel 100. The upper surface211 of the insulation layer 210 may be opposite to the lower surface212. The insulation layer 210 may be formed of an insulation materialsuch as glass, resin, etc. Further, the insulation layer 210 may beformed of flexible materials such that the insulation layer 210 may bebent, rolled, or folded, and may have a single layer or a multi-layeredstructure. For example, the insulation layer 210 may includepolystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethyl methacrylate,polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylenenaphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide,polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, triacetate cellulose, celluloseacetate propionate, or the like. The materials forming the insulationlayer 210 may be variously changed, and the insulation layer 210 may beformed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), etc.

The first wiring 221 may be disposed on the upper surface 211 of theinsulation layer 210. An end of the first wiring 221 may be located atthe lower surface 212 of the insulation layer 210. A via hole VH passingthrough the insulation layer 210 may be formed in the insulation layer210. The end of the first wiring 221 may be connected to a portion ofthe first wiring 221 located at the upper surface 211 of the insulationlayer 210 through the via hole VH. Accordingly, the first wiring 221 maybe electrically connected to the first pad 121 through the via hole VH.

The second wiring 222 may be disposed at the lower surface 212 of theinsulation layer 210. An end of the second wiring 222 may beelectrically connected to the second pad 122. When the first wiring 221is disposed at the upper surface 211 of the insulation layer 210 and thesecond wiring 222 is disposed at the lower surface 212 of the insulationlayer 210, a distance between the first wiring 221 and the display panel100 may be greater than a distance between the second wiring 222 and thedisplay panel 100.

The first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may be formed of metals.For example, the first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may includeat least one of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), tin(Sb), plumbum (Pb), etc. The first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222may be formed as a single layer. However, the present embodiment is notlimited thereto. The first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may beformed as a multi-layered structure in which two or more materials ofthe metals are layered.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the chip-on-film package200 of the display device in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first wirings 221 and the second wirings 222may be overlapped with each other in a plan view. The first wirings 221and the second wirings 222 may be disposed to be overlapped with eachother, so that the first wirings 221 and the second wirings 222 may berelatively densely arranged on the insulation layer 210 in the seconddirection D2. Substantial portion of the first wiring 221 and the secondwiring 222 may be overlap each other in a plan view. For example, morethan half of the first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may beoverlap each other in a plan view. Accordingly, the chip-on-film package200 may include a relatively large number of the first wirings 221 andthe second wirings 222.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 may bealternately arranged along the second direction D2 in a plan view asmentioned above. The first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may bearranged along the second direction D2 to be overlapped to each other ina plan view. In this case, the first contact hole CH1 and the secondcontact hole CH2 in the second insulation layer 112 in FIG. 5 may bearranged in diagonal directions. Therefore, the first wiring 221 may beelectrically connected to the first pad 121, and the second wiring 222may be electrically connected to the second pad 122. For example, thefirst contact hole CH1 may be formed along a first row of pads therebyconnecting the end of the first wiring 221 to the first pad 121, and thesecond contact hole CH2 may be formed along a second row of pads therebyconnecting the end of the second wiring 222 to the second pad 122.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, the first solder resist layer 231 coveringthe first wiring 221 may be disposed on the upper surface 211 of theinsulation layer 210, and the second solder resist layer 232 coveringthe second wiring 222 may be disposed on the lower surface 212 of theinsulation layer 210. The second solder resist layer 232 may expose theend of the first wiring 221 and the end of the second wiring 222, sothat the first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222 may be electricallyconnected to the first pad 121 and the second pad 122, respectively.

The first solder resist layer 231 and the second solder resist layer 232may be made of a curable resin that is curable by heat or light.Examples of the curable resin that may be used herein include bisphenolA type epoxy resin, bisphenol F type resin, novolak type epoxy resin,phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin,resorcinol resin, or the like.

An anisotropic conductive film 300 may be interposed between the displaypanel 100 and the chip-on-film package 200. The anisotropic conductivefilm 300 may be provided between the first pad 121 and the end of thefirst wiring 221 and between the second pad 122 and the end of thesecond wiring 222, thereby electrically connecting the first pad 121 andthe second pad 122 to the first wiring 221 and the second wiring 222,respectively.

The anisotropic conductive film 300 may include an organic polymer and aplurality of conductive balls included in the organic polymer. Theorganic polymer may be made of a curable resin that has adhesiveproperty and is curable by heat or light. Examples of the curable resinthat may be used herein include bisphenol A type epoxy resin, bisphenolF type resin, novolak type epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin,melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, resorcinol resin and thelike.

The conductive balls may include metal such as gold (Au), silver (Ag),tin (Sn), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), platinum(Pt), and copper (Cu) and an alloy thereof. Alternatively, theconductive balls may include a core that includes glass, ceramic orpolymer resin, and the aforementioned metal or alloy thereof formed on asurface of the core.

The anisotropic conductive film 300 may be provided between the displaypanel 100 and the chip-on-film package 200. When the end of the firstwiring 221 and the end of the second wiring 222 of the chip-on-filmpackage 200 are compressed on the first pad 121 and the second pad 122of the display panel 100, respectively, the first wiring 221 and thesecond wiring 222 may be electrically connected to the first pad 121 andthe second pad 122, respectively, through the conductive balls.

Hereinafter, signals applied to the display device according to anembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are timing diagrams illustrating signals according to anembodiment. For example, FIG. 7A may illustrate a first signal appliedto the first wiring 221 of the chip-on-film package 200, and FIG. 7B mayillustrate a second signal applied to the second wiring 222 of thechip-on-film package 200.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7A and 7B, a first signal may be applied tothe first wiring 221 of the chip-on-film package 200, and the firstsignal may be transmitted to the first pixel 131 through the first pad121 and the first data line 141 of the display panel 100 which areelectrically connected to the first wiring 221. A second signal may beapplied to the second wiring 222 of the chip-on-film package 200, andthe second signal may be transmitted to the second pixel 132 through thesecond pad 122 and the second data line 142 of the display panel 100which are electrically connected to the second wiring 222.

The first signal may have alternating voltage levels, and the secondsignal may have a constant voltage level. In an embodiment, the firstsignal may have a first voltage level LV1 and a second voltage level LV2greater than the first voltage level LV1. For example, the first voltagelevel LV1 may be a voltage level corresponding to a maximum grayscale ofdata, and the second voltage level LV2 may be a voltage levelcorresponding to a minimum grayscale of data. Hereinafter, it isexemplary described that the first signal and the second signal aretransmitted to the first pixels 131 and the second pixels 132illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively.

In an embodiment, when conducting a lighting test of the red pixels R, afirst data signal D1 that is the first signal may be applied to thefirst data line 141 located at an N-th column, and a third data signalD3 that is the first signal may be applied to the first data line 141located at an (N+2)-th column as disclosed in FIG. 7A. For example, thefirst voltage level LV1 of each of the first signals D1 and D2 may beabout 1.5 V, and the second voltage level LV2 of each of the firstsignals D1 and D2 may be about 6 V. A signal may not be applied to thesecond data line 142.

During a first time period T1, a voltage of about 1.5 V may be appliedto a red pixel R located at an M-th row and at the N-th column, and avoltage of about 6 V may be applied to a blue pixel B located at theM-th row and at the (N+2)-th column. In this case, the red pixels R atthe M-th column may emit red light, and the blue pixels B at the M-thcolumn may not emit light.

During a second time period T2, a voltage of about 6 V may be applied toa blue pixel B located at an (M+1)-th row and at the N-th column, and avoltage of about 1.5 V may be applied to the red pixel R located at the(M+1)-th row and at the (N+2)-th column. In this case, the blue pixels Bat the (M+1)-th column may not emit light, and the red pixels R at the(M+1)-th column may emit red light. Accordingly, when conducting thelighting test of the red pixels R, the red pixels R may emit light, andthe green pixels G and the blue pixels B may not emit light.

When the first signal having the alternating voltage levels is appliedto the first wiring 221 of the chip-on-film package 200, a constantelectric field may be formed between adjacent first wirings 221. Forexample, when the first data signal D1 and the third data signal D3 areapplied to the adjacent first wirings 221, respectively, an electricfield corresponding to a difference between the second voltage level LV2and the first voltage level LV1 (e.g., about 4.5 V) may be formedbetween the adjacent first wirings 221.

In an embodiment, when conducting a lighting test of the green pixels G,a second data signal D2 that is the second signal may be applied to thesecond data line 142 located at the (N+1)-th column, and a fourth datasignal D4 that is the second signal may be applied to the second dataline 142 located at an (N+3)-th column as disclosed in FIG. 7B. Forexample, the voltage level of each of the second signals D3 and D4 maybe about 2 V. A signal may not be applied to the first data line 141.

During the first time period T1, a voltage of about 2 V may be appliedto a green pixel G located at the M-th row and at the (N+1)-th column,and a voltage of about 2 V may be applied to a green pixel G located atthe M-th row and at the (N+3)-th column. In this case, the green pixelsG at the M-th column may emit green light.

During the second time period T2, a voltage of about 2 V may be appliedto a green pixel G located at the (M+1)-th row and at the (N+1)-thcolumn, and a voltage of about 2 V may be applied to a green pixel Glocated at the (M+1)-th row and at the (N+3)-th column. In this case,the green pixels G at the (M+1)-th column may emit green light.Accordingly, when conducting the lighting test of the green pixels G,the green pixels G may emit light, and red pixels R and the blue pixelsB may not emit light.

When the second signal having the constant voltage level is applied tothe second wiring 222 of the chip-on-film package 200, an electric fieldmay not be formed between adjacent second wirings 222. For example, whenthe second data signal D2 and the fourth data signal D4 are applied tothe adjacent second wirings 222, respectively, an electric field may notbe formed between the adjacent second wirings 222 because the voltagelevel of the second data signal D2 and the voltage level of the fourthdata signal D4 are substantially the same.

Generally, when an electric field is formed between metal wirings andother related factors are combined, electro-migration, which is atransport of material caused by a gradual movement of ions in aconductor due to a momentum transfer between conducting electrons anddiffusing metal atoms, may occur according to ionization of metalbetween the metal wirings. When the electro-migration occurs, insulationproperty of an insulation layer located between the metal wirings may bedestructed, and the metal wirings may be short-circuited. For example,the other related factors may include moisture, temperature, otherconductors, or the like.

In a display device according to a comparative example, wirings may beformed on a portion of a chip-on-film package adjacent to a displaypanel. Further, conductors may be formed on a portion of the displaypanel adjacent to the chip-on-film package. In this case, an electricfield may be formed between the wirings, and the electro-migration mayoccur between the wirings of the chip-on-film package when moisture,etc. infiltrates into the display panel and/or the chip-on-film package.

However, in the chip-on-film package 200 of the display device accordingto the embodiments of the present inventive concept, the second signalhaving the constant voltage level may be applied to the second wirings222 adjacent to the display panel 100, and the first signal having thealternating voltage levels may be applied to the first wirings 221spaced apart from the display panel 100. In this case, an electric fieldmay not be formed between the second wirings 222, so that theelectro-migration may not occur. Further, an electric field may beformed between the first wirings 221, however, a distance between thefirst wiring 211 and the display panel 100 may be greater than adistance between the second wiring 222 and the display panel 100, andfirst wiring 221 may be insulated from the pressure sensitive adhesivelayer 160, the anisotropic conductive film 300, etc. those are locatedunder the chip-on-film package 200 by the insulation layer 210.Therefore, the electro-migration may not occur between the first wirings221.

The display device according to the embodiments of the present inventiveconcept may be applied to a display device included in a computer, anotebook, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a smart pad, a PMP, a PDA, anMP3 player, or the like.

Although the display devices according to the embodiments of the presentinventive concept have been described with reference to the drawings,the illustrated embodiments are examples, and may be modified andchanged by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technicalfield without departing from the technical spirit of the presentinventive concept described in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a substratecomprising a display area and a pad area adjacent to the display area,the pad area comprising a first pad area and a second pad area; a firstpixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel disposed in the display area onthe substrate, and displaying a red color, a blue color, and a greencolor, respectively; a first pad in the first pad area on the substrate;a second pad in the second pad area on the substrate; a first data lineon the substrate and connecting the first pixel and the second pixel tothe first pad; and a second data line on the substrate and connectingthe third pixel to the second pad, wherein the first pad area is betweenthe display area and the second pad area, and wherein the first pad ispositioned at a same layer as the second pad over the substrate.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the first pad area is closer to thedisplay area than the second pad area.
 3. The display device of claim 1,wherein the first pixel and the second pixel are in a first column inthe display area on the substrate, and wherein the third pixel is in asecond column adjacent to the first column in the display area on thesubstrate.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first pixeldisplays a red color, wherein the second pixel displays a blue color,and wherein the third pixel displays a green color.
 5. A display devicecomprising: a substrate comprising a display area and a pad areaadjacent to the display area, the pad area comprising a first pad areaand a second pad area; a plurality of first pixels, a plurality ofsecond pixels, and a plurality of third pixels disposed in the displayarea on the substrate, and displaying a red color, a blue color, and agreen color, respectively; a plurality of first pads in the first padarea on the substrate; a plurality of second pads in the second pad areaon the substrate; a plurality of first date lines on the substrate andrespectively connecting the plurality of first pixels and the pluralityof second pixels to the plurality of first pads; and a plurality ofsecond data lines on the substrate and respectively connecting theplurality of third pixels to the plurality of second pads, wherein thefirst pad area is between the display area and the second pad area, andwherein the plurality of first pads are positioned at a same layer asthe plurality of second pads over the substrate.
 6. The display deviceof claim 5, wherein the first pad area comprises a first pad portion ina left side of the first pad area in a plan view and a second padportion in a right side of the first pad area in the plan view, and thesecond pad area comprises a third pad portion in a left side of thesecond pad area in the plan view and a fourth pad portion in a rightside of the second pad area in the plan view.
 7. The display device ofclaim 5, wherein the plurality of first pixels and the plurality ofsecond pixels are in odd columns in the display area on the substrate,and wherein the plurality of third pixels are in even columns in thedisplay area on the substrate.